This article investigates the intricate interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and development economics by analysing 1,484 articles from Elsevier's Scopus database. The study identifies China as the leading contributor in this field, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom, with India ranking fifth. Network analysis underscores AI's close connection to concepts like the circular economy, health economics, and ethics within development economics. Keywords such as machine learning, big data, deep learning, and sustainability indicate AI's rapid advancement. The article emphasises aligning AI with sustainable development goals, particularly in disaster management and ensuring an inclusive development model. Overcoming AI implementation challenges requires strategic government policies and social science input, addressing security, data privacy, and technology adoption at the grassroots level. In conclusion, well-governed advanced algorithms are poised to shape the future of global economics and contribute to realizing development objectives.